Menuhaeo Considering McIntosh For Environmental Post

President thinks former Conservative Lial senator knows environmental issues 'inside and out'

MAVOCKE, CEA--President Brenton Menuhaeo is reportedly considering former Conservative Sen. Steven McIntosh (LIA) to hold the nation's top environmental protection position.

Sources close to the situation say the president has inquired about choosing McIntosh, and has privately praised the senator, saying he knows environmental issues "inside and out, better than anyone else in Mavocke."

The sources asked for anonymity, as administration members are prohibited from speaking to the media without permission. And Collester Press Secretary Adam Kolbert refused to comment on the president's reported consideration of Mr. McIntosh.

However, the news is spreading throughout Mavocke, and several senators--both Conservative and Nationalist--seem to be supportive.

"Absolutely, if he's [McIntosh] interested, I think he would be a great choice," Sen. Chuck Danbury (C-ARA) told GBC Radio Monday.

Several Nationalists also seem pleased with the possibility.

"I think a lot of Nationalists will tell you that, while we may not agree with all of Steven McIntosh's views, no one would argue the fact that he has been a staunch protector of the environment," Sen. John Warner-Patterson (N-WIK).

Mr. McIntosh told the GBC's John Hockney Sunday he has not decided if he would accept the position, if asked.

"I certainly would love to be in a position like that, and I think the Environmental Protection Agency is a wonderful department, but I can't tell you one way or the other at this point if I would accept the offer if it's given to me," he said.

Mr. McIntosh, who was often lauded for his support of environment-friendly legislation, ran for reelection in 2008, but lost to NAT Stephanie Manning. Ironically, President Menuhaeo campaigned on Manning's behalf against McIntosh, and helped raise money to defeat the two-term senator, who had a moderate voting record while in the Senate.

If nominated, Mr. McIntosh will be the president's second nominee for the EPA position, after Neal Neeley, the president's first choice, was denied confirmation by the Senate by a vote of 42 to 48.

CNS Senators Attack Stimulus Package For Lack Of Tax-Cuts

Six senators blame NAT colleagues for 'foolish' stimulus package

MAVOCKE, DMG--A group of Conservative senators is decrying the NAT-sponsored stimulus package, which they say has an "appalling and overt absence" of tax-cuts for middle class families.

Sens. Dana Glow (ARA), Brad Bearns (BIE), John BiGadi (LIA), Nadine Pietrasaelis (NWP), Dick Trau (POG), and Evelynn Blankenship (VER) made a joint appearance at a press conference Thursday attacking the stimulus package and the Nationalists who are pushing the bill through the Senate.

"This foolish bill is hurting Grassadellan families, and it should never have even reached the floor of the House of Delegates," Sen. Blankenship said.

Sen. Glow took issue with the the proposed $615 billion in new spending, by which many federally-launched projects will be funded.

"My concern is how the federal government will pay for these projects. You can't just spend and hope that the money comes in. That's not a very realistic approach," said Glow, an economist and former corporate CEO.

The senators also voiced their opposition to the package's tax hikes on wealthy Grassadellans. The bill calls for an increase in taxes for the top 10% of citizens in the tax bracket system.

"Taxing affluent Grassadellans is not the answer to turning around the economy," Sen. BiGadi said. New Portsmouth Sen. Nadine Pietrasaelis echoed those sentiments, saying "The NAT stimulus package is not only hurting every-day Grassadellans by omitting tax-cuts, it's also punishing innovation and wealth by instating tax increases."

NAT senators blew off the CNS press conference as "more of the same old protect-the-rich game."

"This bill is about rebuilding our economy--an economy that began faltering under a Conservative president--and the only way we can do that is by spending money to stimulate the recovery," Sen. Terry Branlin (WIK) said. "And it's high time that the wealthiest of the wealthy, the highest on the socio-economic ladder, who received unlimited benefits during the Byelle administration...it's high time those people give back to our country."

Collester also fought back at the CNS, saying the party is "looking for a scapegoat" to blame the economy on.

"When you don't have any ideas of your own, you point to your opponent and heap the blame on them," Press Secretary Adam Kolbert said in response to the CNS press conference.

Polls show Grassadellans have mixed feelings about the proposed stimulus package. A poll released yesterday by the GBC shows 47% support the bill while 43% oppose it. The remaining 10% are undecided.

The Senate will continue debate on the stimulus package, and if passed, it will then head to the National Assembly, where it will be debated once again.

Lanman-Trau Diagnosed With Breast Cancer

POG lieutenant governor faces early-stage cancer

LILLAC CITY, POG--Province of Grassadella's lieutenant governor Beth Lanman-Trau has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.

Lanman-Trau's office made the announcement yesterday in a written statement, and the lieutenant governor spoke with the media herself today at the state capitol in Lillac City.

"Today, I am facing a new challenge in my life--a difficult challenge, but it's not one that cannot be conquered," Lanman-Trau said. "Fighting breast cancer will be tough, but the strength of my faith, family, friends and constituents will help me beat this disease."

The lieutenant governor received the diagnosis last Friday, but waited to make a public announcement until her family had time to come to terms with the situation.

"She obviously wanted her husband and children and the rest of her family to know first, and they wanted a few days to absorb the enormity of the circumstances," spokesman Rod Basso said.

Lanman-Trau has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, which has the highest recovery rate of any level of the disease. She will undergo surgery next Monday at St. Francis Hospital in Lillac City, and then will receive regular treatments of radiation therapy for the next six months, her office confirmed.

She will be out of the office for a week following the surgery, and will return to the capitol when doctors release her back to work.

POG Governor Donna Almone said Wednesday she is saddened at the diagnosis of "a team mate and close friend." Governor Almone told reporters that if Lanman-Trau is temporarily unable to perform her duties, an interim lieutenant governor will be appointed until she is healthy enough to return.

"In the even that Beth can't come back for several weeks, I will appoint someone to hold her post temporarily until she is able to come back," Almone said. "But I know Beth is a fighter, and my gut feeling is that she will be back as soon as she possibly can be."

Lieutenant Governor Lanman-Trau is married to POG Sen. Dick Trau (CNS), who was elected in December 2008. The couple have three children. Lanman-Trau is 46 years old.

Carr, Cuso Top Targets In 2010 Election

Both first-term senators vulnerable, polls show

MAVOCKE, ARA--It's only March of 2009, but already, political candidates and parties are gearing up for the 2010 mid-term elections.

Out of the 90 members of the House of Delegates, 32 will be up for reelection in 2010. Of those 32 seats, 19 are currently held by the Conservative Party, while 13 are held by the Nationalist Party.

Among the two most vulnerable and heavily-targeted senators are Mark Carr (N-KLN) and Debra Cuso (C-CAR). Both are serving their first term and both have weak approval ratings.

A recent poll conducted by Garmond Polling Services shows Mr. Carr holding a 53% approval rating. That's a drop from his 59% approval rating when he began his term in June 2008.

The poll also shows Senator Carr trails potential Conservative candidates in hypothetical match-ups. When matched against Congresswoman Kimberley Duncan-Roit, Carr trails 47%-53%. He also trails Congressman Samuel Tracy 42%-58% and against Drogen County Sheriff Mark Radowski, Carr trails 46%-54%, respectively.

These numbers show Senator Carr will be one of the Conservative Party's top targets in 2010.

"Senator Carr finds himself very vulnerable going into 2010, and the Conservatives have a long list of potential candidates," says Dr. John Underwood, professor of public policy at Kalnier State University in Bellock.

No Conservative candidates have declared their candidacy yet, however Duncan-Roit, Tracy, and Radowski are all reportedly considering a run.

On the flip side, the most vulnerable Conservative incumbent appears to be Sen. Debra Cuso, of Carova. The first-term 37-year-old holds relatively low approval ratings (52%), and has a much lower-profile than Carova's other senators Sam Byelle (CNS) and Julie Wynmyer (DR).

For now, there aren't many high-profile potential NAT candidates who may consider a run against the vulnerable Cuso, however state NAT officials are actively seeking a viable candidate. Among potential NAT candidates:

-Beth Mandley, Lichmond County district attorney
-Lisa Madrid, 5th district representative
-Becki Salmon, environmental activist
-Jim Daly, former banking executive
-Bob McGregor, former senator
-Dan McGregor, state represenative and son of Bob McGregor

No official polling has been done yet on this senate seat, but sources within the NAT Party believe Mandley would be the strongest candidate.

"Beth Mandley has the most support within the party, and she would clobber Debra Cuso [in the general election]," said a source, who asked not to be identified because the party prohibits conversations with the media.

While Ms. Mandley would be popular in the NAT Party, she would likely come under heavy fire from bitter Conservatives, who are angry because she did not file charges against Carova's Nationalist lieutenant governor, Carson Latzo, who was accused of driving drunk in September 2008. Conservatives alleged Mandley let Latzo off the hook because of political reasons. Mandley claims there was not sufficient evidence to seek prosecution.

Regardless of which candidate the NAT chooses, Senator Cuso is expected to face a tough reelection bid, should she run again. The senator's office refused to say if she will run for reelection, however Ms. Cuso's campaign has filed paperwork indicating she will seek a second term.

Boating Accident Kills 6 In Wilmington's Ibsee Harbour

Investigators still trying to determine cause of accident

WILMINGTON, TRI--A boating accident in Wilmington, Trinton has killed six people and injured nine others, according to local officials.

Sgt. Brad Bickerstaff, with the Oceanview County Sheriff's Department, said two medium-sized speed boats collided in Wilmington's Ibsee Harbour Saturday night. The accident occurred around 9:40 p.m. Eastern Time (GEST).

One of the boats had 13 passengers on board, the other was carrying seven. According to Mr. Bickerstaff, the larger vessel is believed to have been traveling around 40 mph when it struck the smaller boat, which was stationary at the time of the accident. Several victims were thrown from the boat, and several were crushed by the force of the crash. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor.

"It's unclear right now just what the cause of this accident was, but it is highly likely that alcohol played a part in this crash, and it's evident from the information gathered at the scene and from eye-witnesses that the one boat was traveling at a very high rate of speed," Bickerstaff said.

Darkness and visibility also played a major factor, investigators said, as the boats may not have seen each other or been aware of the other's position.

"Forty miles-per-hour is way too fast to go even in the day time much less at night," Bickerstaff said. "So there are still a lot of questions that need to be answered."

Police also say both boats were over the legal occupancy rate. The larger boat had a maximum capacity of ten passengers, while the smaller boat had a capacity of six.

Both drivers survived the accident, and police say one or both may face criminal charges.

"Right now we are focused on the injured and making sure there are no more casualties, obviously," Bickerstaff told the media. "However, at the end of the day, someone was criminally responsible for this crash and we intend to make sure justice is executed."

Ibsee Harbour, the fifth-busiest port on the Grassadellan coast, was shut down Saturday night for over four hours. Police are still investigating, but the harbour has been re-opened to commercial and leisure traffic.